CLOSTER, N.J.—Andrew Weatherly has not only established himself as a significant artist in his hometown of Closter, but across the country as well. His most recent honor and accomplishment came when he and eight other Special Olympic artist-athletes were invited to design the logo for the next Special Olympics USA Games to be held in Orlando, Florida in 2022.
During a three-day workshop, each participant brought his or her unique artistic talents to the challenge, and worked with professional designers from Publicis Seattle, a national advertising agency partner. Weatherly’s acrylic-on-paper abstract design brought vibrant color and fluid motion to the final concept. He is hoping to become a member of the Special Olympics New Jersey tennis team and compete in the USA Games in 2022.
Walt Disney World Resort played host for the logo design workshop and will continue in that capacity for the events to be held in 2022. Disney rolled out the red carpet for everyone invited to the workshop. Weatherly described the excitement he and his team experienced when they stayed at the lakeside Coronado Springs Resort as guests of Disney.
When not hard at work in the studio, they were treated to a performance of the Blue Man Group along with other special activities. Disney’s 220-acre ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will be the premiere venue for the Special Olympics USA Games where the athletes “will provide inspiration to millions of people around the world,” according to Disney’s Senior Vice President Rena Langley.
Jersey Mike’s, a submarine sandwich chain with over 1,500 locations across the country, serves as Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 event. The company’s mission revolves around “giving and making a difference in someone’s life.” Peter Cancro, founder and CEO of Jersey Mike’s described his company’s long-standing tradition of supporting its communities.
“Sports teach us valuable life lessons about teamwork and leadership,” he said, and has backed up his mission by donating more than $41 million to local charities since 2010.
Never before in the Games’ history has a logo been inspired and designed by Special Olympics athletes. The workshop that led to the creation of the logo has been documented by Iranian-American filmmaker and 2018 Oscar winner (for film “Period. End of Sentence.”) Rayka Zehtabchi. The 5-minute documentary captures the positive impact of the process and the undeniable spirit and talent of these visionary athletes. It can be viewed at https://youtu.be/qebdScVUNd4.
Weatherly and his mother Leslie agreed that the most inspiring facet of the workshop and all that has and will evolve over the next two years is the cooperation and support from so many sectors. The artists themselves, who were strangers before the workshop began, found a way to take their combined talents and create a symbol reflecting each of their visions. Friendships were forged, lessons learned, and mutual respect and joy grew from this unique coalition. Leslie Weatherly said simply, “This was like taking a shower in goodness.”
In addition, it became clear that the corporate sponsors including Jersey Mike’s, the Walt Disney Resort and others are dedicated to using their enormous resources to do good. While the news is filled daily with tales of corporate greed at the same time that non-profit organizations struggle to stay afloat, the relationship between Special Olympics USA Games and these businesses sets a high standard and an ideal way to share and support each other for the betterment of all individuals and communities involved.
More of Weatherly’s art can be viewed on his website, www.andrewweatherly.com, with information about his paintings, photography, books of poetry and accessories.
In Closter, his painted bench in Closter Plaza has brought a jolt of color to an outdoor patio, and his work can often be seen at the Belskie Museum.
